Keeper, Animal Health

Organization: Saint Louis Zoo located in Saint Louis Missouri

Directly Reports to: Zoological Manager Animal Health

About the Saint Louis Zoo:

The world-renowned Saint Louis Zoo is dedicated to saving species and bringing people and wildlife together. Home to over 16000 animals many of which are endangered. Entry is free every day for everyone an important part of our commitment to people and animals always. Learn more at: St. Louis Mo:

From Explore St. Louis: Urban explorer outdoor adventurer aficionado of family fun no matter your travel persona youll find plenty to do in St. Louis. The city is brimming with free world-class attractions and boasts an arts-and-culture scene thats second to none. Plus fans of fresh air will be surprised and delighted by our flourishing public parks miles of trails and exhilarating waterways. Sprinkle in a bit of our secret sauce the warmth and hospitality of the residents and youll discover that St. Louis dishes up undeniably epic travel experiences. Dont take our word for it though. Come and see for yourself. Learn more at Summary:

The Saint Louis Zoo is looking for a positive team member to work with our hospital staff comprised of a Director of Animal Health 4 Staff Veterinarians 1 Veterinary Resident 1 Veterinary Pathologist 1 Zoological Manager/Animal Health 5 Veterinary Technicians 2 Animal Health Keepers and 1 Administrative Assistant.

This position would provide care for the animals in our quarantine and hospital facilities including some work that may be required at: our main campus in Forest Park Wild Care Park in Spanish Lake Missouri and Sears Lehmann Jr. Wildlife Reserve in Franklin County where the Zoos non-public facility for American red wolves exists. The current position will be based at the campus in Forest Park. This position is responsible for working within the team to provide care enrichment and training for animals from many taxa including but not limited to ungulates carnivores primates small mammals and a wide variety of avian and reptile species. Advanced keeper skills are required. Additional duties will include: Aiding in the coordination of incoming and outgoing animal transaction communications and scheduling assisting in veterinary procedures and necropsies as needed assisting in animal transports as needed. Safety and animal welfare are integral to all the work we perform. The ability to work in various types of weather is necessary.

This position requires a detailed kind and compassionate individual. Candidates should demonstrate a teamwork style that fosters an atmosphere of inclusion teamwork and safety and promotes the Zoos core values (Community Creativity Openness Integrity and Life-Work Balance).

Responsibilities:

Understanding of the Three Keys and Core Values of the Saint Louis Zoo and modeling these Keys and Values on a day-to-day basis.

Serving as an ambassador for the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park the Sears Lehmann Jr. Wildlife Reserve the animals and the community at all times including to donors guests neighbors coworkers media AZA and other outside agencies;

Achieving the highest standards of animal wellbeing through exemplary animal care training enrichment and social management as appropriate for the goals of the different programs as well as tracking and documenting these activities;

Performing behavioral observations and wellbeing assessments in person and using video surveillance to enhance individual animal and group wellness;

Managing animals according to safety wellbeing and reintroduction protocols as needed for herd management recovery/reintroduction programs veterinary health care and research purposes;

Maintaining and enhancing outdoor and indoor animal living spaces;

Ordering receiving and handling dietary items and other supplies for the animals as well as monitoring the quantity and quality of these items on a prescribed schedule;

Creating and maintaining departmental records and assisting with animal transport paperwork;

Assist in management of incoming and outgoing animal transaction records and coordination as well as assist in animal transports as needed. including transporting animals between campuses airport and other animal care facilities.

Addressing the horticultural facility and custodial needs of the hospital and quarantine facility as needed.

Work with keepers and animals to positively train for behaviors

Ability to process samples for biomaterials research requests.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; therefore the employee may be required to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications:

A bachelors degree or higher in an animal-related field and previous animal care experience are desired. A successful candidate is likely to have at least five (5) years of paid hands-on experience in the care and management of a variety of taxa. Applicants with equivalent combinations of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job are encouraged to apply.

A successful candidate will be a leader and have a positive can-do attitude. They should expect a team-based approach and be ready to participate in cross-departmental collaborative team activities in addition to performing duties with the Department of Animal Health. They should be curious ready to learn and forward thinking. They should have the ability to solve complex problems efficiently and the ability to make good decisions during emergencies. They should be a self-motivated individual who can identify tasks that contribute to the function of the programs associated with the Department of Animal Health.

A successful candidate will be an effective communicator and have good writing public speaking and storytelling skills. Interaction with donors guests and the community will be frequent in this role so a passion for public speaking and excellent presentation skills will be essential.

They should have the ability to work both independently and with a team.

A successful candidate is likely to have experience with animal management in large spaces including animal introductions animal transports and a working knowledge of animal behavior and natural history operant conditioning field conservation and related subjects. On the job training will be made available for these activities as needed.

A successful candidate will have detailed record keeping skills and confidence with technology including ZIMS database entry and analysis PowerPoint video/audio recording and video surveillance systems will be useful in this position. Training will be made available for these activities as needed.

Experience operating small equipment such as weed eaters and leaf blowers and large vehicular equipment such as animal trailers trucks tractors mowers skid steers and forklifts would be beneficial in this position. Training will be made available for these activities as needed.

A successful candidate must have a good safety record and be able to perform all duties and responsibilities with safety as a priority.

A successful candidate will have the physical ability to perform required duties as assigned including lifting 50lbs standing for long periods walking lifting bending driving and working in all types of weather. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

A successful candidate must have a clear driving record and will be asked to get a Class E drivers license and be comfortable driving or learning to drive a trailer.

All successful candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check and a drug test. As this is a safety-sensitive role a negative drug test result is mandatory. The drug test screens for five substances including marijuana.

COVID and Rabies vaccinations are required for this position.

Ability to work a flexible schedule on holidays and evenings for animal procedures and events will be necessary at times. Work schedule will be Sunday-Thursday.

Additional Expectations:

Demonstrates a commitment to the Zoos mission statement and its core values.

Must strive to decrease our environmental footprint to serve as models to our community to do the same through education and example.

Performs duties in a service-oriented manner.

Recognizes the needs of others and treats others with respect and dignity.

Maintains good work habits and adheres to the employee handbook and all policies and procedures.

Demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a work environment free from discrimination and sexual harassment and supports a commitment to equal employment opportunities.

Demonstrates a commitment to workplace safety

Application Deadline: Please submit application including cover letter by 5 p.m. on July 18th 2025.